Electric signal apparatus.



F. S. TUCKER.

moms SIGNALING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FI LED APR.25. I913 Patented bept. 4, 1917.

5 3i @lfize 6666, a lizzjfik/fiif.

F. S. TUCKER.

ELECTHlC SIGNALING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APRZS \913.

1,239,141 PatentedSept. 4, 1917.

2 SHEETS SHEET 2.

llllllllilllllllllllllllllllllll lllllll llillllllllllllllll @627666666, Indezzfiz;

0. 4. m U @m UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK S. TUCKER, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNO R OF ONE-HALF TO EDWIN P. SEVERANCE, OF BROCK'DGN, MASSACHUSETTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 4:, 1917.

Application filed April 25, 1918. Serial-No. 763,542.

7 '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK S. TUoKnR, a citizen of the United States, resichng at Roxbury, Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Signaling Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to electric signaling apparatus, and more particularly to an electric signaling apparatus in which code signals are produced on one or more alarm devices, preferably a number of electric. bolls placed in different locations, call the person wanted. Such a system 1s [Jill'tlCLllzlI'll' adapted for use in factories and stores to enable men who are likely to be in any part of the factory or store to be called either to the o'llice or to the nearest telephone by ringing on a number of bells placed in the different rooms a call number which corresponds to the man wanted.

The object of the present invention is to improve apparatus of this character, and more particularly to simplify the apparatus for controlling the intermittent electric eurrcnt sent over the circuit to produce the signals.

\Vith the above object in view, the present invention consists in the electric sig; naling apparatus hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

in the drawings, which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus for sending the signals, together with a diagram of the bell circuit: Fig. 2 is a section taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the apparatus.

In the illustrated embodiment of the pres ent invention, an electric circuit 1 includes a number of alarm devices 2 and 3. These alarm devices are preferably electric bells for producing; an audible signal, although other alarm devices, such as electric lights, may be used. The current for ringing the bells is furnished by a battery 4. The cur rent is intermittently sent through the elec' tric circuit 1 to ring the bells by means of a -be moved downwar switch 5. The switch 5 comprises stationary and movable contacts 6 and 7 which, when brought together, cause the bells 2 and 3 to be rung. The movable contact 7 is carried on an upwardly extending arm 10 which is secured to a movable lever 11. The lever 11 is a substantially U-shaped frame comprising two upwardly extending arms 12 and 13 connected by a transverse bottom piece 14. The lever 11 is fulcrumed on the frame of the apparatus by means of a shaft 15 loosely received through holes in the arms 12 and 13. Across the top of the U-shaped lever 11 extends a contactor or ratchet plate 16 which is rotatably mounted by means of pin-like extensions 17 which are loosely received through holes in the upper ends of the arms 12 and 13. plate 20 extends across the U-shaped lever 11 beneath the free edge of the ratchet plate 16 and prevents it from turning downwardly. The ratchet plate 16 can, therefore, be freely lifted without movin the lever, but cannot without turning the lever. A counterweight 21 attached to the lever 11 normally holds the switch 5 open. The position of the lever 11 under the influence of the counterweight 21 is determined by an adjustable stop screw 22 carried by the arm 12 and contacting with'a stop piece 23 on the frame of the apparatus. The ratchet plate 16 is engaged by sets of teeth 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 which are carried upon vertically movable drop bars or actuators 30, 31, 32, 33. 34, and 35 respectively. \Vhen a drop bar is raised, the ratchet plate 16 is freely lifted by the teeth, but, when the drop bar descends. the plate 20 holds the ratchet plate 16 from turning downward and the ratchet teeth turn the U- shaped lever 11 to close the switch 5 every time a tooth engages the ratchet plate 16. The ratchet teeth on the different drop bars are arranged to close the switch 5 a predetermined number of times to bring a predetermined code signal on the bells. For example, on drop bar 33, the set of teeth comprises three lots of four teeth each, so that the number four is rung three times. On the drop bar 35, the teeth are spaced so that the number thirtycne is rung three times. A number plate is carried upon the bottom of each of the drop bars to indicate the number which will be rung by the drop bars. The ratchet plate 16 is a contacting means or device cooperating wlth the teeth on the drop bars. When a drop bar descends under the influence of the controller hereinafter described, the wiping movement of the teeth over the contacting means or ratchet plate causes the switch to be closed every time -the contacting means or ratchet plate is moved by a tooth,so that the signal is dependent upon the teeth on the drop bars, which may be arranged or spaced to ring many different numbers.

In order that the actuators or drop bars may descend slowly and at a uniform speed to properly time the ringing of the bells, the downward movement of the drop bars is governed by a controller. The controller includes two vertical bars and 41 connected at their tops by a transverse piece 42 iiponwliich is mounted a. weight 43. On the side of the bar 41 is a rack 44, which meshes with a pinion 45. The pinion 45 is connected through a ratchet clutch 46 to a system of speed increasing gearing or clock work 47 to a fan or brake 48. The ratchet clutch 46 allows the pinion 45 to turn freely when the bar 41 is raised, but operates, when the bar descends, to connect the fan or brake 48 and retard the free downward movement of the bar 41. The bar 40 carries a transversely extending plate 50 which extends laterally across and behind the drop bars 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35. 'Pivotally mounted upon the plate 50 by means i of cars 51 is a latch plate 52. The lower end of the latch plate 52 has a beveled forwardly projecting edge 53. Each of the drop bars is provided with a rearwardly projecting pin 54. When one of the drop bars is raised, the pin 54 engages beneath the plate 50, raising the controller bar 40. As the drop bar is raised, the edge 53 of the hinged latch plate 52 engages beneath the pin 54, so that when the drop bar is released. it is locked to the controller bar 40 and must descend slowly with the controller bar 40. \Vhen the drop bar has returned to its initial position, the pin 54 engages the transverse plate 55 of the frame and thus checks the downward movement of the drop bar. The controller bar 40 is allowed to continue its downward movement a little distance after the drop bar is checked. As the controller bar continues its descent, the 5 beveled edge 53 slides over the pins 54 and is cammed to the rear; thus automatically releasing the drop bar. After the latch plate 52 is turned out of engagement with the pin 54, the downward movement of the controller bar 40 is checked by a pin 56 which engages the top cross piece 57 of the frame. The upward movement of the drop bars when they are lifted by hand is limited by stop pins 58 which engage beneath the 5 top transverse frame cross piece 57.

Included in the bell circuit is a safety switch 60 which comprisesa fixed contact 61 and a movable contact 62. The movable contact is mounted upon a spring arm 63, the free end of which extends into the path of the bottom of the bar 41. \Vhen the bar 41 is raised and is descending to allow the drop bar teeth to ring the bells, the switch 60 is held closed by the spring arm 63. After the drop bar teeth have passed the ratchet plate 16 and the drop bar has returned to its initial position, the final movement of the bar 41 opens the switch 66. The bell circuit is thus opened when the apparatus is not in use and any iarring of the apparatus which might accidentally close the switch 5 cannot act to ring the bells.

The metallic frame upon which the mechanism is mounted is secured by means of screws to a backboard 71. The mechanism is inclosed by a wooden casing 72 which is shown broken away in Fig. 1 to expose the mechanism. The lower ends of the drop bars project through holes in the bottom of the casing 72. On the front of the casing are posted the names of the men to whom the numbers on the drop bars refer.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

Suppose the code signal two is to be rung upon the bells. The operator places his finger under the drop bar 31 which is marked 2, and raises it until its upward movement is checked by the stop pin 58. The parts are now in the position shown in Fig. 2. When the drop bar is lifted, the stop pin 54 raises the plate 50 and with it the controller bar 40. lVhen the drop bar is lifted, the projecting edge of the latch plate 52 catches under the pin 54 on the drop bar and looks it to the controller so that when the bar is released it must move downwardly at the same speed as the controller. The drop bar and controller move down slowly under the influence of gravity upon the bars and the weight 43, and under the retarding influence of the fan brake 48. As the drop bar 31 falls, the set of teeth 25 is brought against the ratchet plate 16 acting to turn the lever 11 to close the switch 5 intermittently and to ring the signal two three times upon the bells. IVhen the con trollcr is lifted, the arm which holds the movable contact 62 is released by the lower end of the bar 41 and the switch 60 is closed. When the bar 41 reaches the bottom of its movement, the switch 60 is again opened, so that any accidental ringing of the bells or short circuiting of the apparatus is obviated.

In case the wrong drop bar is accidentally lifted, the operator can correct the mistake by immediately lifting the correct drop bar. When the correct drop bar is lifted, its pin 54 will cam back the latch plate and ca use the wrong drop bar-to be released. The released drop bar will drop immediately and so rapidly that the contact of its teeth with the ratchet plate 16 will cause only a momentary jangling ot' the bell and will not ring the signal for which the released drop bar was intended. The correct dro-p bar. after it has caused the latch plate 52 to release the wrong drop bar. is held by the latch plate so that. as it descends with the controller. the correct signal is rung on the bells.

lVhile the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been specifically illustrated and described. it is to be understood. that the present invention is not limited to its preferred embodiment. but may be embodied in other constructions within the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims:

1. Electric signaling apparatus having. in con'ibiuation. an electric circuit including one or more alarm devices. a plurality of independently mov'able. manually operable actuators which are adapted to be moved singly. controlling means for causing the actuators to return slowly to their original positions. and connections between the actuators and the electric. circuit including a movable electric contact. :1 act of teeth connected to each actuator. and a ratchet for engaging the teeth allowing them to move freely past the ratchet when the actuator is manually moved in one direction. but operating when the actuator is returning to its original position to move the electric con tact to cause a. predetermined code signal. to be produced by the alarm devices.

2. Electric signaling apparatus. having in combination. an electric circuit including one or more alarm devices and a selective signal producing device for controlling said circuit including a plurality of sets of teeth and contacting means cooperating therewith. the tccth of each set being arranged for a distinctive code signal and mechanism including a pluralitv of independently movable actuators each actuator having one set of teeth carried thereby and manually operable in one direction. means for causing a slow return movement of the actuators. and connections for operating the contact means to close the circuit upon the return movement of an actuator to cause a code signal predetermined by the arrangement of the teeth to be produced by the alarm devices.

3. Electric signaling apparatus. having in combination, an electric circuit including one or more alarm devices. a plurality of independently movable manually operable actuators adapted to be lifted singly. means for controlling the return movement of the actuators to initial position. connections be tween the actuators and the circuit for causing predetern'lined code signals to be produced by the alarm devices upon the return movement of the actuators. and means operated by the control mechanism for opening the electric circuit when an actuator has been returned to initial position.

4. Electric signaling apparatus having. in combination. an electric circuit including one or more alarm devices. a plurality of independentlv movable, manually operable drop bars adapted to be lifted singly. con trolling means for causing the drop bars to return slowly to their original positions after they are lifted. and connections between the drop bars and the electric circuit including a movable electric contact. a set of teeth connected to each drop bar. and a ratchet for engaging the teeth allowing them to move freely when the drop bar is raised but operating when the drop bar descends to move the electric contact and cause a predetermined code signal to be produced by the alarm devices.

5. Electric signaling apparatus having.in combination. an electric circuit including one or more alarm devices, a plurality of independently movable. manually operable drop bars placed side by side. bearing sets of teeth and arranged to be lifted singly, a controller for causing the drop bars to de scend slowly after they are raised. a lever bearing a ratchet plate which extends across the drop bars in position to be engaged and moved by the teeth when a bar descends. and an electric contact controlling the elec tric circuit connected with the lever and moved thereby when a drop bar descends to cause a predetermined code signal to be produced by the alarm devices.

6. Electric signaling apparatus having, in combination. an electric circuit including one or more alarm devices. a movable electric contact controlling the current in the circuit. mama for moving the contact to cause a code signal to be produced by the. alarm devices. including a plurality of independently movable. manually operable drop bars placed side by side and adapted to he lifted singly. a common controller for the drop bars arranged to be engaged by and lifted by a drop bar when it is raised and operating when the drop bar is released to cause the drop bar to descend slowly to its original position. said controller including a catch which engages and locks the drop bar to the controller when a drop bar is raised and which is automatically disconnected from the drop bar when it de sccnds to its original position.

7. Electric signaling apparatus having, in combination. an electric circuit including one or more alarm devices. a movable contact controlling the current in the circuit, means for moving the contact to cause a code signal to be produced by the alarm devices, including a plurality of independently movable, manually operable actuators, a common controller for the actuators for causing them to return slowly to their original positions, said controller being moved by a manually moved actuator independently of the other actuators and being automatically disconnected from the moved actuator when it returns to its initial position.

8. Electric signaling apparatus having, in combination, an electric circuit including one or more alarm devices, a plurality of racks, the teeth of each rack being arranged for a distinctive code signal, manually operable means for moving the racks in one direction, controlling means for causing them to return slowly to their original position, and connections between the racks and the electric circuit including a movable elec tric contact and a ratchet engaging the teeth and allowing them to move freely when a rack is manually moved in one direction but operating when the rack is returning to move the electric contact and cause a code signal predetermined by the arrangement of the teeth on the rack to be produced by the alarm devices.

9. Electric signaling apparatus having, in combination, an electric circuit including one or more alarm devices, a plurality of racks, the teeth of each rack being arranged for a distinctive code signal, manuallyoperable means for moving the racks in one direction, controlling means for causing the racks to return slowly to their original position, and connections between the racks and the electric circuit including a movable electric contact and a single ratchet arranged to cooperate with any one of the racks allowing it to move freely when it is manually moved in one direction but operating when the rack is returning to move the electric contact and cause a code signal predetermined by the arrangement of the teeth on the rack which engages the ratchet to be produced by the alarm devices.

FRANK S. TU GKER.

\Vitnesses HORACE VAN EvERnN, GEO. E. STEBBINS.

Copies 0! this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington. D. C.

ion in Letters PatentNo. 1,239,141. I

Correct It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,239,141, granted September 4,

1917, upon the application of Frank S. Tucker, of Boston, Massachusetts, for an an error appears in the printed improvement in Electric Signaling Apparatus,

specification requiring correction as follows: Page 1, line 9;), for the Word bring read ring; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of October, A. D., 1917.

[SEAL] F. W. H. CLAY,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. Cl. 177337. 

